Type-writing machine.



..PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907. E. G. LATTA.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14.1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W Z 0% Z 76 A Z PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907. E. G. LATTA.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14,1905.

4 SHEET E3 fwerziafi V R 5 I ZZZ/"ways.

No 847,415. 'PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907.

' E. G. LATTA, V TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14.1905.

' I mums-sum a fiwei'zlor.

ifizzaesses: I v

PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907.

E. G. LATTA;

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14.1905.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

7lnesses: 5

JZZZWIM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMMIT o. LATTA, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, AssIoNoR OFoNE-HALF TO HARVEY A. MOYER, OF

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITlNG MACHINE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

To all whom it may ooh/corn: l

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, a'citizen of the United States, residing-at S racuse, in the county of Onondaga and'State of a New York, have invented anew and useful Im rovement in Type-Writing Machines, 0

which the following is a specification. 1 a

This invention'relates to type-writing machines in which the t e bars or carriers are provided with a plurality of sets of type and in which the platen is normally in printing relation to oneset of type, and either the. platen or the support for the type-bars is shifted from its normal positionto place the 1 platen and the other set of typ'ein printing? relation.

' The objects of the invention are to provide a simple desirable shifting mechanism for moving the shifting part that is, th'e'platen '20 or the ty e-support; which will positivelyhold. the s ifting part in its shifted position 'without exertion on the part of thepperator and. which will ositively pr ventithe shifting part from re ounding from either its nor- 2 5 mal or shifted position when quickly shifted;

to lso construct the shiftin mechanism that the leverage is greatest at t e commencement of the shifting movement, whereby less ex ertion is required to overcome the inertia and weight of the shifting part; to cause the shifted part to move first with an accelerat-- ing motion and then with a retarding rnotion as it approathes the limit of its movement to enable a quickshift and prevent the shock of 5 5 a sudden stop to provide adjustments whereby the movement of the shifting art can be increased or decreased as require for different sizes or spacing of type; to provide means f simple, construction and capable of easy operation for releasably lockin the shifting 5o sions at the front side of the latter and in which the platen or type-support is shifted vertically; but the improvements are not limited to a front-strike machine and can be adapted to other types of machines by making the necessary modifications in the relative arrangement and proportions of the parts of the mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of four sheets, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a type-writing machine provided with a shifting mechanism embody ing theinvention, only those parts of the machine being shown which arenecessary to a proper understand ng of the invention. Fig. ,2 is a plan view of aportion of the shifting mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail section, on an enlarged scale, of the oscillating eccentric and associated parts. Fig. 4 is a lan view,partly in section, of the machine, t ecarriage being omitted and arts broken away to disclose the shiftingmec anism. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified construction. 'elevationthereof in line 6 6, Fi 5. Fig. 7 is anelevation ofone of-the-shi t-levers and the rock-lever operated thereby. I Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation showing the oscillating eccentric and-operatinggear' used in the tion, on an enlarged scale, of; the eccentric and associated parts of the modified construction. 1

Like. letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures. 4

A represents the main frame, B the platen, and 01 one of the pivoted type-bais, of a typewritingema'chine. The. platen, as usual, is

-rotatably journaled on a suitable carriage, which travels transversely of the machine toproduce the lines of printing, and in the machine illustrated the type-barsare ivoted on a segment or supportD,-located be ow the laten, and swing upwardly and rearwardly to make the impression at the front side ofthe platen' These parts may be of any known or suitable construction, and the type-bars, carriage, and platen are operated essary to describe. Each type-bar has two type, ordinarily termed the upper and lower case type, one of which will strike the platen when the partsare in their normal position.) The proper printingv relation between the other type and the platen is se' .cured by changingthe relative position of the platen and type-bar, and this can be done either by shifting the platen or the typesu port. I

in the construction shown in Figs. 1-4

modified construction. Fig. 9 is a detail sec-- by suitable mechanisms, which it is ot nee Fig. 6 1s a sectional lob ithe'type-bar support is stationary; and the;

platen is shiftedvertically, for which purpose the carriage E is entirely supported on a frame is mounted insome suitable 'manner transversely of the machine.

on the main frame; to move up and down;

riage to swing vertically on adjustable screwstuds f, projecting inwardly from upright brackets'or lugs at the-upper rear cornersaqff the. rear cor the main frame into sockets in ners of'the shift-frame.

'9 represents a roller which is journaled on} an adjustable bracket g, projecting from the shift-frame, and bears againstthe front side of the carriage to prevent vertical play of the carriage on its guide-track when'the shift-,

eccentric shaft or element H. v struc'tion illustrated in. said Figs; 1 4' ;the

frame is shifted.

The shifting. mechanism,

struct-edin different ways to secure "the (le sired results,'the shifting mechanism shown in Figs. 1-4 being constructed its-(follows:

pitman h/ so that the shift-frame is raised and lowered by rocking or rotating the In the coneccentric-shaft is jourrialed in a" bearingracket 71, projecting centrally from the typo-bar segment; The connecting-rodh is connected at one end to a crank-pin on: the shaft and is pivoted atits opposite end to an arm 71.", projecting forwardly from the central part of the shift-frame, the'arm being adjustably connected. to the shift-frame by screws 71- bassmg through elongated slots in the arm.

parts ctmnectd by a turnbuckle. v

The shift-frame is raised from the normal position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 by rocking .theshaf t orelement H in one direction bars, and by lengthening or shortening the connecting-rod h the shift-frameoan be ad justed to insure the exact pr nting relationbetween the platen and the type in both the normal-and shifted positions. Other adjustments could-be used to secure these results.

The eccentric shaft or clement can be oscillated, as stated, ty suital'le key-a tuated connections, those shown being as follows-z 1 I represent two key-levers arranged longitudinally at opposite sides of the machine or actuating; mechanism for the shift-fram e,' may be 0 11-.

The eonmeeting-rod h is also preferably adjustable in length, being made of two 6, projecting from-the sides of the rfiain frame.

front ends which are held up in they norm coiled at out. the' lever pivots, with theirends I engaging the levers and lugs on the frame are It is preferably pivoted inrear of the cw shown for this purpose. v.Qri the rear armsof the key-Ievers', which preferably have con- ;Yexed or {packer-shaped u- "a'rmsk; formed on or rigidbearings 'on the rear portion of; the main frame and is provided centrally with a toothed dlepressing or-elenient H. L represents ajstop 'for limitend'ofitsthrow in either direction in a deadthe rod h with the arm of the shift-frame. The stop shownis' adjustably secured to the bracket h byascr'ew and-"can beset to'in [dead-center position. As the eccentric or center position, it positively supports the shift frame incothits normal and shifted positions and. prevents the rebounding ofthe shifted. both positions, and the printing of a character over orunderthe line cannot occur. shift-lever and a type-keymay be depressed at the sametime and perfect work-done, or a character may-Le printed at the instant the parts return to the normal position, with and cause the impression to he made alcove or below the line.

frame and causes a'gradual easy start of the frame; then an accelerating motion, followed by a gradually-retarding motion and a slew of the parts, and the shot k on the machine and fulcrumed between their ends on pivots The key-levers; have 'fin'gerskeys'c" at 4 position andre'turned to such position afte depression by suitable springs. Springs '5 and its,

The

equal certainty that, they, will not vii; rate 1 I This arrangement also affords greaterle'verage in startingthe sh1ft- '75 pen edges, bear ysecured to a. rock-shaft'K, whioh'is journaled in suitalt le segment k, meshing with a gear Wheel or seg-. jment k formed on' 'or secured to the eccen 'f,tric' shaft or element Hi By {eitherof thefinger-keys the shaft 1 segment-arm are rocked, thereby oscillating v the gear-segigment'"7c and the eccentric shaft ii -1gv the movement of the conneeting-rod'hto b .Cause the eccentric or crank pin to stop at the Y 9 center.position that is, in a straight line 1 passing through the axis of the eccent-ricshaft and the center of the pivot connecting sure the stopping of'the eccentric shaftin the crank thus starts from and stops in a'ftlead ICC shift-frame from either position when quickly The platen is,' in effect, locked in 1 easy stop of the frame, so that less'exertion is required to overcome the inertia and, weight I 20 and operator, duc to a sudden stopping .of

the shift-frame, isavoide'd; The des 'ribed rot. king onI1e(iion**-l:etween the key-levers and arms of the roclnsh aft K still further 1-11- crease the leverage at the commencement of which, however, could lac used. Vhile the the nlov'mnent of the shift-frame and the ac- P coloration of' its molion and is therefore more desiral le than a direct tonnection be-" tween the key-lever and e (OIIiIiC-Slifift,

shift-frame is; in .effc locked or held in its two positions, the locking and releasing are effected by the simple depression of the keylever, and no device requiring independent operation is necessary Thearm k on the shift-frame isv made heavy enough to beperfectly rigid, and the shift-frame cannot spring or yield when the eccentric is in either deadi that it can be adjusted'to regulate its ten L first depressing the shift-lever. 5

center or locking position. The central location of the arm and: its actuating connec tions enables power to be applied to the shift-frame tothe best advantage and pre-.

vents the twisting of the frame or. an unequal movement of its opposite ends The key-levers can be made light enough to spring or yield slightly when suddenly depressed, and thus prevent shock to the fingers of the operator; -l:ut the described relation of the eccentric-shaft and its connection with the shift-frame positively prevents the latter from vtaking part in any fiexure of the key-levers. The shifting parts cannot be moved from their normal position without can therefore be turned upside down without movement of the shifting mechanism, and.

this is a convenience in handling and avoids the necessity for special fastening when boxing the machine for shipment.

A suit able spring Z, acting on the rock-shaft K, assists in restoring the parts to their normal position or startsthem from the shifted position, and a spring M, secured to the main frame and bearing againsta pendent lug onthe shift-frame, partly supports the Weight of the shift-frame and assists in shifting the same, thus materiallyrelie'vingthe shifting mechanism of this weight and lessening the work of shifting the shift-frame and carriage. This spring M is preferablyiadjustably con nected to the mainframe by a screw m, so

' In the.constructionshown in' Figs. 5to 9 the platen and carriagehas only the usual movement transversely of the machine, and the type-bar support or segment isshifted to place one or the other set of type-in printing relation. The segment N can be supported to move toward and from the platen in any suitable manner. As shown, is pivoted at its ends to the forward ends of-lin'ks n, which are connected by a cross-bar n, and are pivo'ted to lugs on the rear portion 'of the-main frame, amt itscentral portionispivoted to the front end of a link it, having a forked. rear end pivoted to lugs on the rear of the main frame. The segment israised and lowered by an eccentric O, which isrnounted. on a shaft p,.supportedin a fixed bracket 7) on the frame, and 1s connectedby a rod or pitman p to thesupporting-link in? of the segment.

The connecting-rod is adjustable in length and is adjustably connected to the segmentlink to regulate the-movementof the segment.

ends on suitable pivots r.

The machine adapted to engage with and insure the correct normal and shifted positions. of the same, and the-{eccentric is adapted to oscillate between dead-center positions, as in the construction before described and for similar reasons. The segment could be rocked-by the same arrangement of key-levers and connections shown in l Figs. 1 to.4;*but slightly-different actuating means are) shown, in which a rock-shaft Q, journaled in the central portion of the ma chine,,is provided with a toothed segmentg,

meshing with gear-teeth q, formed on the eccentric, and has fixed arms g which bearon rocker-shaped ortions of keyelevers R, which extend longitudinally of the machine at its sides and are fulcrumed'at'their rear construction is similar to that of the other construction described; Key-levers and connections of the character just described for shifting the type-bar segment "could be em- .ployed in the other construction for shifting the shift-frame. V

While the key-leversand rocker .connections for oscillating the eccentric shaft or element are preferred for the reasons stated, it isobvious that an eccentric or ane uivalerit device or devices for shifting the shift-frame or type-support could be operated by various different actuating means and effect the debrates adjacent to the bracketwithout engagement therewith in its shifting movements. When it is desired to lock the shifted part in shifted pGsition the shift+lever is depressed and is then pressed lateral'ly toward the bracket to engage itsprojection' .9" under the shoulder of the bracket, which will then hold the lever until it is pressed l'ateraltv in the opposite direction to disengage the interlocking parts.- 'lhis device is very simple 'I he action of this a and effective, the shift levercanbeengaged therewith and disengaged 1 therefrom with great ease, and it obviates the necessity for a key or device requiring independent operation. t An'impo'rtant advantage of the eccentric shifting, mechanism described consists in the 'fact that there is no lost motion between the hift' frame or segment which is r e The movement of the thfrom start to finish and free from the aggravating irregularity of touch present iiiother shift'niechanisnis'that lock shift-key a the shifted part the action of the shift key or lever. Another uesirable feature is that I and e1 hty degrees, there would "be no mate rial d1 erence' 1n 1ts actlon, and as some operators may refer toqulcken the return move- 2o u the shift-lever and eccentric-not;only posi- I tively and-automatically hold the shifted tornatically release the same from such holdingin either position by the natural move:

ment of the shift key, the locking and unout parts in addition to those required to'efiect the desired motion. The.

one dead-center and shifting to another dead+ ment of t e shifted part .by a ust'ing the stop to prevent the movement the. eccenF- tric a full one hundred and eighty degrees IT do not confine myself to stopping the p arts I exactly-on dead-centers.

I claim asmy invention relation of t e type and the printing-point,

"an actuating device for said shiitin'gupartp and an eccentricconnected between saidop erating device and saidshifting part and which is turned by said actuating device] from one rest position'to another to shift said shifting part, said eccentric automatically;

acting in its rest positions to positively hold said shifting part against vibration in either 7 2. In a type-wrl nationof a platen and a type-supportoneof' I :which is adapted to be shifted to change the *from vibration in both po tially'asset forth. 3. In a type-writing machine, the combi direction from either of the two positionsto which'it is moved by the eccentric, suhs'tan;

' ,j-ofwhich is. adapted to-be-shifted to change the relation of the type and? the,printingjt I pointjof twoshift-le'vers, arock-s'haft, two", auxiliary {levers-secured} to said rock-shaft J and mavingl-grocking' engagement with said I10 tiallyas set forth. Y I 'ting machine, the combirelation of the type and the. printing-point, an oscillatory eccentric, a conneciticn'hetween said eccentric and saidshifti to prevent moyementznf the a oscillating said eccentric from one-to the the shifting part is shiftedand positively held tions, substannation of a platen anda typesupport one of Whichfis adapted toloeshifted to change the relationof the type and the printing-point,

an oscillatory eccentric a link connected to" sflidecc'entric and to s'aid shiftinglpart, and

psl

. means" for oscillating saideccentriefrom one 1 ,to the. other of, its dead -"ceiite1""positions whereby the shifting part'is shifted andposi- 1 tlvely held-from vibration'in both positions, substantiallyias set forth;

pTar't against vibration in either direction 1 om eltherof two diflerent'po-sitions, but a 1-.v

arranged 1 'ftmg part in 1 dependently of the eccentric, and-means for nation of a relation of the k an oscillatoryyeccentric arrangedin the ma.-

connectionflhetween said eccentric. and. the middle portion .ofsaid shifting part arranged -5'. I;n"a' front strik'e type-writing machine,

and tHe-printing-point, ani oscillatory eccentric, a connected to' said eccentric and to v y-theeccentric in either of two positions, suhstantiallyiasflset forth. In a type-writing-machine, the 'combi' the relation of the type the printing point, ofa shift-lever, arr-second; lever having "motionfrom saidgsecond leverfto the shift forth) 1 nationwith a platen and a type support, one

;sh ittlever's ,-Q,andconnections {between said rock shaft' f and shifting part which remain substantially centrally with respect to'said as/se ortha r 1 if/ype writingmachine, the combin'ation Wit ofwhichxis adapted to be shifted to change point, of two shift-levers, a rockssbaft, two auxiliary levers secured to said rock'- shaft vMOperating the n' btantially a isetforthf i v v 4,- In a type wntmg machine, the'comhiQ which is adali Q Phe h1 d t chwselhe 371 c andt pr l I chine'centrally between the sides thereof, a-

part and for Holding the shifting part from "re. ,ounding whenshifted, substantially as set;

1.1a a type-watingl'macmne; the corhbiha platen and a type-supporh'one nation "with a' support for. a {series ofltype? bars each having a pluralityof printing chals v actera'anda platen-one oi' ;-wi 1ich' isiniapted to be, shifted to'rchange..thefgelationlot-said 113pto preventfmov'ement of the shifting part" independently of-the eccentricy and means the shifting part -'is;shii .ted'- and positively I bo'th p ositions,. subtheconrhination ofa'lplate'n and' a type-.sup'- port- .one of which is adapted to be shifted} vertically to-change the relation of thettype V 5 said shifting partland; means for oscillating" i said eccentric frofnfonef to the other of its dead-center positionsiwherebyj the shifting partf is-shiftedlbfilsaid eccentr c and station i arily supported 1. In a type-Writing'machine the:combi-, nation of a platen and a type-support, one off which is adaptedto he shiftedlto change the nation'with aplaten and atypes'upport, one of-Which isadapted to: be shifted to change a vrocking connection with said shift-lever, I, and aneccentrm connection for transmitting roo rock shaft andshifting par ty snbstantially v the'reIatiOn-Of'the type and the printing 12a and having rocking engagement with saidf: shiftlevers, and means connected tothec'en tral portions of said rock shaft and shifting suppo'rt andaplaten; of. a' shift;'-key-,' an HGOCQD". tric actuatedb-y said-shiftkevsand a device positively connegtedto 'said'eccentric-and to 1 the shifting .part, {said eccentricb'eing a'r'-. ranged to rest'substantiallyson ad ead cente'r' when in its normal position andholdthe'shiftfdead center positions, substantially as 'set slnftekeyis moved,substantially as set forth j;

10. In a typeewriting achine; the cloinbt" big part againstfchange of. position untilthe nation with a support for a serieslioff'type- 'b S aQ 'he i s, p u i nfii r acters', and aplazten, one of whichfis' a aptedto be shifted-to change therelationiof saidaf supportandplaten, of a shift-keyfia'n. eccen;

trio actuated :by saidshiftekew and a device. positively connected to'said eccentric an'd' to 1 L the part, said eccentric beingar ranged to rest-substantially on a dead+center when in its-shifted .position ,andi-hold-Ythf shifting part 7 in shifted position 'u ntil' 'the j shift-hey is moved toward its normal posi I a v. p

-' I lot-In"a-frontstrike type-writing machine,-

tion, substantially asset forth. I

11. In a type-Writing machine, the combif nation with a support for a series oftypef bars each having a plurality of printin char}. acters, and a platen, onefof which is a apted to be shifted to chan e the relation ofsaidsu port and platen, o a' shift-key, an 6006!}? trio actuated by said shift-key; a con'n ec' tion pivoted to said eccentric a11d v t the shifting part, said eccentric'being arranged to oscillate between two substantially dead center ositions and to change the position of the shi ting part when moving from; one deadcenter position to set forth.

theother, substantially as 12. In a type-writing machine, lhe;combination withasupport'for a seriesof type-.

- bars each having a plurality of printing char- .shiftin v .acters, and a platen, -one.of Which is adapted to be shifted to change the relation of saidsupport .and platen, of a shift-lever; anda connection between said lever and the shiftingpart constructed to move the shifting part with a slow starting motion increasingv during the first part of its movement and de creasing durin the last part of ment, substantially as set forth.

13. In a type-Wri ting machine, the combi-- nation with a support for a series of type- -bars each having a plurality of printin char-.

acters, and a platen, oneof which is a apted' to be shifted to change the relation of said support and platen, of an eccentric or equ-iva-'- lent device, means for tumin said eccentric through. an arc of substantial y one hundred and eighty degrees, a rod connecting said eccentric and saidshifting part, and a stop against which the connectin -ro,d strikes to limit the" movement of sai eccentric and part, substantially as set forth.

14. In nation of a platen and a type-support, one of which is ada ted to be shifted to change the relation oft the cqinhination ofa I p "port,one.ofwhichisa apted to be shiftedup nd dov'vnto change the relationv of the type xtia'llyia's set forth "its move- 7 a type writingfmachine, the combiforth.

e type and the-printing-point,

gear-segment having a toothed engagement 7 ,with sa1deccentric',. and means for'operating said gear segment'to turn; said-eccentric 0118-.-

half revolution'- -from one: to the other of its forth,

15.111 afront-striketype-Writin'g mahiae,

latenand a" type-supthe print point, an oscillatory eccen trio arranged i e 0W said shifting part,alink cconnected to" said eccentric-and to said shifts-Par 9' gefir-segment having a toothed".

-engagiezne'nt withsaid eccentric,' and means for operating-said gear-segment to turn "said ecoentrics'one halfrevolution from one to the otlhenof its dead-center positions, substan the combination Witha segment supporting a series of; type b'ars each, having a p rintingi characters, and a" platen, .of "a 'shiffr lever?'a'-' laten-shift frame mounted to c-oscillate'vertically.and-having a rigid central 'arm projectingforwardly under the platen,

urality "and connections whereby thep'hift-leve'r acts on the front portion 'Of saidv arm to shift the platen, substantially-as set forth.

- v 1 7. In a front-strike type writing machine,

combination with a series of type-bars {each-having a plnrality'fof printing characters, and a platen, of a PIatGIPShlfl} frame pivoted to move-up and down, a counterbalancing-spring' for' said frame, an eccentric or equivalent for actuating said shift-frame a shift-key for operatingvsaid eccentric, and. a second spring acting to restore theeccentric 5, tonormal'position, substantially as set forth.

- 18. Inafront-strike type-Writingmachine,

bars each havin' a plurality of printing char actors, and a aten carriage; of a carriageshift frame which is pivot'ally. connected to the'main frame at each side of its center to bars, a platen, and a carriage for the platen,

of a shift frame suplp'o'rting thecarriageand arranged transverse y connected thereto by pivots at each side of 1 the combination with a; main frame,-thetype i on the main-frame; and

the center of the main frame and at there'ar of the shift-frame, and a vibrating support connectin the front central part'oi' the shiftframe to 20. In a type-writing machine, the combination with. a support fora series oftypebars each having-a plurality ofprinting char e mainframe, substantially as set esters, and a platen one of which is 'moveble toch'a'n e the. relative position of said sup horizontal shift-'lever port a'nc platen, of a pivoted between its ends, a horizontal aux:

iliary lever arranged, over the shift-lever and lever and shifting pert'whereby. the relation of the type-ba t support and platen is changed; substantially as set forth. I v 21'. In a type-Writing machine; the combination of a part adapted to be shifted; to

' h'ang'e the relation of the (fruitingepoin't and the type, a shift key, an

an actuatingd vice for shifting part whioh ismovecl I 5 l by said shift-key andis construc tellQto shift .seid,shifting part- Witha slow-starting and slows topping motion and'to automatlvally l. hold the s me against vibration in either (li- 'reotion from either of two differentpositions; 26

substantially as set forth.

W itness my hand this 8th day of June,

Witnesses I FRANK REID. USQAR' C. KeYLiI. j 

